Posted on 03/25/2005 3:25:00 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper
TORONTO - A U.S. Army paratrooper was denied political asylum Thursday, dealing a blow to Americans who are seeking refuge in Canada to avoid serving in an Iraq conflict that they argue would force them to commit atrocities against civilians.
An immigration board ruled that Jeremy Hinzman had not convinced its members he would face persecution or cruel and unusual punishment if returned to the United States.
Seven other American military personnel have applied for refugee status, and Hinzman's lawyer estimated dozens of others are in hiding in Canada waiting to see how the government ruled. The attorney, Jeffry House, said Hinzman would appeal the ruling and expected to win.
"He is disappointed," House told CBC TV. "We don't believe that people should be imprisoned for doing what they believe is illegal."
Immigration and Refugee Board member Brian Goodman, who wrote the ruling, said Hinzman might face some employment and social discrimination. But "the treatment does not amount to a violation of a fundamental human right, and the harm is not serious," he wrote.
Canada opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and the decision could help ease strained relations between the two governments.
Hinzman could face charges of desertion if sent home and would face up to five years in prison. He and seven other U.S. military deserters are being represented by House, a Wisconsin native who came to Canada in 1970 to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War.
The Pentagon has urged the deserters to return to the United States and take up their concerns at their respective military bases.
"We are an Army serving a nation at war," the Army said in a statement after Thursday's ruling. "Each of us volunteered to serve, and the vast majority serve honorably. AWOL and desertion are crimes that go against Army values, degrade unit readiness and, in a time of war, may put the lives of other soldiers at risk."
Hinzman, 26, lives with his wife and young son in Toronto, where Quakers and the War Resisters coalition of anti-war groups have taken on his cause and provided some shelter. Coalition supporters planned to demonstrate Thursday in front of the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.
He fled from Fort Bragg, N.C., in January 2004, weeks before his 82nd Airborne Division was due to go to Iraq. He had served three years in the Army, but had applied for conscientious objector status before his unit was sent to Afghanistan in 2002.
Hinzman argued to the Immigration and Refugee Board in December that he would have had to take part in war crimes if he went to Iraq, saying the war there is illegal.
He said he would be persecuted if forced to return to the United States.
Hinzman's lawyer estimated as many as 100 American war resisters are hiding in Canada, waiting to see how Hinzman's case is played out before coming forward. He said 30,000 to 50,000 Americans fled to Canada during the Vietnam War and were allowed to settle here, but Hinzman would have become the first American soldier to be granted political asylum in Canada.
.....Canada's New.... el-Qaeda,... el-Sharia laws... rejects GI's request for non-Muslim asylum ?
It's in today's paper. This is merely an update. Bill O'Reilly has been following this story for the last day or so.
Canada makes me sick
The fact that Canada is sheltering these deserters who volunteered for duty, is enough to make me sick.
The recuiter who let this numbnut in should go to jail....
"He is disappointed," House told CBC TV. "We don't believe that people should be imprisoned for doing what they believe is illegal."
If he was a terrorist, Canada would set up an immigration hearing, and he'd disappear into the system.
His attorney sounds like a creep.
Everytime I read about these traitors, a song comes to mind. Led Zepplin's "Gallows Pole". OK, not all the lyrics apply to the situation, except the last couple. ;-)
"Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile.
Friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends, To keep me from the Gallows Pole?
What did you bring me to keep me from the Gallows Pole?
I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor to keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think I see my brother coming, riding a many mile.
Brother, did you get me some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my brother, to keep me from the Gallows Pole?
Brother, I brought you some silver,
I brought a little gold, I brought a little of everything
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Yes, I brought you to keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think I see my sister coming, riding a many mile, mile, mile.
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower, save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him, save me from the wrath of this man, man.
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride,
Ride for many mile, mile, mile.
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister, She warmed my blood from cold,
Brought my blood to boiling hot To keep you from the Gallows Pole,
Your brother brought me silver, Your sister warmed my soul,
But now I laugh and pull so hard And see you swinging on the Gallows Pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole! "
Read it again.
Don't you think people should be imprisoned for doing what they believe is ILLEGAL?
Who was this guy? I thought only Kofi Anann got to decide it was illegal. He's trying to take your job Kofi!
Yeah the recruiter knew the guy was going to desert.
rme
Try them for desertion, sentence them to 50 years at hard labor, put their pictures up at every border crossing and if they ever set foot in this country take them straight to Leavenworth.
"We don't believe that people should be imprisoned for doing what they believe is illegal."
?!
We don't believe that people should be imprisoned for doing what they believe is illegal.
I guess that every convict in prison would agree with this statement!
He joined the Army. The Army follows orders, they sometimes go to war. If he was in the Airborne there should have been no doubt in his mind what the Army does , since he volunteered twice.He wasnt a conscientious objecter for the 3 years he wasnt asked to go to war, he took his pay and was happy, All of a sudden when it looks like he may have to go to war he develops this objecter status. He certainly wasnt asked to commit any war crimes.
And he could step in front of a bus in Toronto tomorrow morning.
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